I went out to feed and water everyone this morning, only to find Freckles, one of my young Anconas bloodied.
Something got him on the back of his neck -- I tried to get pics, but I didn't want to get too close and frighten him more. It MOSTLY looks like a bunch of feathers were torn out. I wasn't able to see any major gashes/torn skin. He also has a few scratches on his face, but all-in-all, (not to sound cold-hearted, just trying to keep myself rational), the damage doesn't look too bad. There were dig holes under the fence on the backside near the woods (you can kind of see one in the top pic), where something came in. I don't know how big a hole a raccoon would need, but it was a smallish hole, something a cat could fit through (but bigger than a rat/squirrel, which I doubt would attack a duck, but could also fit through the fencing if they wanted and wouldn't have to dig under it). The wound seemed fresh to me and I'm kicking myself in the *****, thinking I could have prevented it if I'd only gotten out there an hour sooner, when I should have been out there. *sigh*
I took these pics when I first got out there. I hosed him down gently (after these pics were taken), to wash away all that smeared blood and to access the true depth of his injuries. When I first got out there, his eye was kind of sunk (you know, how when an animal isn't feeling well), but he seemed genuinely appreciative of the clean-up and didn't look so forlorn after. He's currently sitting in the pool.
While, of course, I'm worried about my gorgeous Freckles, I'm not terribly worried about his wounds. What I AM worried about, and need advice on, are the flies. When I went out there, I noticed a lot of them buzzing about. I've heard horror stories of flies laying eggs in wounds, making things worse. I need advice, please, of what I should/shouldn't do. And I guess I need to know if I'm being naive not worrying about his wounds -- I keep thinking they're not bad, but I don't know how much a duck bleeds from feathers being yanked out... I'll try to get more pictures of him 'cleaned up,' but I really don't want to upset him more right now...
*sigh* I'm just so upset over this. We're >< this close to having their new coop/run finished -- as in, we were hoping to move the ducks into it this weekend. I've been so excited about the upcoming picture post, showing off all our hard work. Now it's kind of spoiled. I know that sounds dumb... It's just so ironically stupid that he got hurt so close to moving into a new, better and more secure home.
Sorry to ramble so much... thank you for taking the time to read/respond.
EDITED TO ADD: Right after posting, I went out to check on Freckles. He was COVERED with flies, so I put him in a big cat carrier and brought him inside. .... Now I'm lost and REALLY look forward to any help you can offer. Thanks again...
I took these pics when I first got out there. I hosed him down gently (after these pics were taken), to wash away all that smeared blood and to access the true depth of his injuries. When I first got out there, his eye was kind of sunk (you know, how when an animal isn't feeling well), but he seemed genuinely appreciative of the clean-up and didn't look so forlorn after. He's currently sitting in the pool.
While, of course, I'm worried about my gorgeous Freckles, I'm not terribly worried about his wounds. What I AM worried about, and need advice on, are the flies. When I went out there, I noticed a lot of them buzzing about. I've heard horror stories of flies laying eggs in wounds, making things worse. I need advice, please, of what I should/shouldn't do. And I guess I need to know if I'm being naive not worrying about his wounds -- I keep thinking they're not bad, but I don't know how much a duck bleeds from feathers being yanked out... I'll try to get more pictures of him 'cleaned up,' but I really don't want to upset him more right now...
*sigh* I'm just so upset over this. We're >< this close to having their new coop/run finished -- as in, we were hoping to move the ducks into it this weekend. I've been so excited about the upcoming picture post, showing off all our hard work. Now it's kind of spoiled. I know that sounds dumb... It's just so ironically stupid that he got hurt so close to moving into a new, better and more secure home.
EDITED TO ADD: Right after posting, I went out to check on Freckles. He was COVERED with flies, so I put him in a big cat carrier and brought him inside. .... Now I'm lost and REALLY look forward to any help you can offer. Thanks again...
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